Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken
Ruby Gillman, a sweet and awkward high school student, discovers she's a direct descendant of the warrior kraken queens. The kraken are sworn to protect the oceans of the world against the vain, power-hungry mermaids. Destined to inherit the throne from her commanding grandmother, Ruby must use her newfound powers to protect those she loves most.
The film underperformed commercially against its mid-range budget of $70.0M, earning $46.2M globally (-34% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its innovative storytelling within the animation genre.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (2023) showcases deliberately positioned story structure, characteristic of Kirk DeMicco's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 31 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ruby lives as a normal teenage girl in Oceanside, hiding her kraken identity. She yearns to fit in at high school and go to prom with her crush Connor, while her overprotective mother forbids her from ever going into the ocean.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 12 minutes when Connor falls off the pier into the ocean. Ruby, despite her mother's warnings, jumps into the water to save him. This is the first time she's entered the ocean, breaking the cardinal family rule.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 26% of the runtime. This illustrates the protagonist's commitment to Ruby makes the active choice to return to the ocean to learn about her kraken powers. She dives in, fully committing to exploring this new world beneath the waves, accepting she must understand her true nature., moving from reaction to action.
At 46 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat False victory: Ruby successfully retrieves the Trident of Oceanus for Grandmamah, proving herself as a warrior kraken. She feels empowered and accepted in both worlds - her kraken family is proud, and Chelsea seems like a true friend. The stakes raise as the trident's power is now in play., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 68 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Chelsea uses the trident to become giant and attacks Oceanside. Ruby's mother is captured and the city is in danger. Ruby feels she's caused this disaster by trusting Chelsea and trying to be someone she's not. Her worst fears realized - she's endangered everyone she loves., demonstrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 73 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Ruby realizes she doesn't have to choose between being human or kraken - she can be both. Her friends accept her for who she truly is. She synthesizes her dual nature into strength, understanding that her "weirdness" and authenticity are her power, not her weakness., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken against these established plot points, we can identify how Kirk DeMicco utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken within the animation genre.
Comparative Analysis
Additional animation films include The Bad Guys, The Quintessential Quintuplets Movie and Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel I. Presage Flower.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ruby lives as a normal teenage girl in Oceanside, hiding her kraken identity. She yearns to fit in at high school and go to prom with her crush Connor, while her overprotective mother forbids her from ever going into the ocean.
Theme
Ruby's mother Agatha tells her "You can't trust the ocean" and warns that their family must stay hidden. The theme of accepting your true identity versus hiding to fit in is established.
Worldbuilding
Ruby navigates high school life with her nerdy mathletes friends. She's awkward and anxious, desperate to be normal. We learn the Gillman family are krakens hiding among humans, forbidden from the ocean. Ruby wants to ask Connor to prom but lacks confidence.
Disruption
Connor falls off the pier into the ocean. Ruby, despite her mother's warnings, jumps into the water to save him. This is the first time she's entered the ocean, breaking the cardinal family rule.
Resistance
Ruby discovers she transforms into a giant kraken in the ocean. She's terrified and confused. Her mother reveals more family history but insists Ruby must never return to the sea. Ruby debates whether to embrace or reject this identity, torn between fitting in at school and understanding what she truly is.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ruby makes the active choice to return to the ocean to learn about her kraken powers. She dives in, fully committing to exploring this new world beneath the waves, accepting she must understand her true nature.
Mirror World
Ruby meets her grandmother, the Warrior Queen of the Krakens, in an underwater kingdom. Grandmamah represents what Ruby could become if she embraces her heritage - powerful, confident, and proud of being a kraken.
Premise
Ruby trains with Grandmamah, learning to use her kraken powers. She gains confidence and strength. Meanwhile, at school, popular new girl Chelsea befriends Ruby. Ruby tries to balance her two worlds, growing more powerful underwater while maintaining her human friendships. The fun of being a giant kraken princess.
Midpoint
False victory: Ruby successfully retrieves the Trident of Oceanus for Grandmamah, proving herself as a warrior kraken. She feels empowered and accepted in both worlds - her kraken family is proud, and Chelsea seems like a true friend. The stakes raise as the trident's power is now in play.
Opposition
Chelsea reveals she's actually a mermaid - the krakens' mortal enemies. She manipulates Ruby into giving her the trident. Ruby's mother and grandmother's conflict escalates. Ruby's lie about prom is exposed. Her human friends feel betrayed. Everything unravels as her attempt to balance two identities collapses.
Collapse
Chelsea uses the trident to become giant and attacks Oceanside. Ruby's mother is captured and the city is in danger. Ruby feels she's caused this disaster by trusting Chelsea and trying to be someone she's not. Her worst fears realized - she's endangered everyone she loves.
Crisis
Ruby is devastated and paralyzed by guilt. She feels she's failed as both a human and a kraken. Her friends and family are in danger because she tried to hide who she truly was. Dark moment of self-doubt before finding resolve.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Ruby realizes she doesn't have to choose between being human or kraken - she can be both. Her friends accept her for who she truly is. She synthesizes her dual nature into strength, understanding that her "weirdness" and authenticity are her power, not her weakness.
Synthesis
Ruby battles Chelsea as a fully empowered kraken, no longer ashamed of her size or nature. Her friends help from shore. She rescues her mother, defeats Chelsea, and saves Oceanside. She reconciles her family's conflict, bringing krakens and humans together.
Transformation
Ruby attends prom as her true self - confidently kraken and human. She's no longer hiding or ashamed. The final image shows her embraced by both communities, transformed from an anxious girl desperate to fit in into a confident young woman who defines herself.